Angela Davis' Great-Grandfather Took a Slaveowner to Court

Angela Davis' great-grandfather, Isom, not only marks her family's transition from slavery to freedom, he's also at the center of a fascinating story involving the Freedmen's Bureau.

Watch #findingyourroots Tuesdays at 8/7c on PBS.

[pooh]

SHE'S ALSO A DIRECT DECENDENT OF A PILGRIM ON THE MAYFLOWER G-D HAS SUCH A SENSE OF HUMOR

[carlcunningham]

"It is a miracle that black people are even here." My grandfather use to say this all the time.

[henriknielsen]

You left out the funny part where she finds out, that she comes from the Mayflower 😂🤣😭👌

[kkhpsft]

I don’t know why people are so shocked in these episodes to find out they had white ancestors. I think it’s impossible to be a descendant of slaves in the US and NOT have any white or Native American ancestors.

[FeatnikSF]

Angela wrote her autobiography in 1974. She gave a copy to my ex-husband in 1980 when she, her fiance (Hilton Braithwaite) and my ex (their best man) drove to Alabama in a rented chocolate brown Cadillac for their wedding. All three were photographers at the time. For privacy reasons, Angela requested that no photos of her be taken on that trip. Used copies of the book are available if you look.

[SirPolitico]

It’s so great to see the tenacity that Ms. Davis has brought and continues to bring to the fight for liberty and freedom is really a family heirloom passed down across the generations. Powerful stuff.

[pattywilliams]

That was awesome! I am so happy for Ms. Davis to learn that about her history. Bravo, Dr. Gates and team.

[lazzettawebster]

The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Respect

[korinda]

I can't wait to use this video next year in my US History class when I teach about the Reconstruction Amendments and the Freedmen's Bureau. My students really felt the loss when I taught Dred Scott - this video is a beautiful counterpoint of justice prevailing.

[Kim-mzco]

This is great. I researched lines of my own family to find out why I and others in the family are the way we are and do what we do. Why do we have the passions that we have? I have no doubt these traits are passed along either in our DNA, through experience or both. It's fascinating to discover the similarities.

[medusagorgon]

"Frivolous complaints"!!!! That about took the top of head off!🤬 People living in absolute ignorance! I guarantee you they would never volunteer their children for hard, soul crushing labor. Unbelievable!

[broadwaysam]

Easy to understand where Angela gets her bravery. She comes by it naturally.

[SugarShaneee_]

Why did they not post the part in which her family came over in the Mayflower, and owned slaves?!

[Sheisneika]

My mom was born in Maringo county and my roots are from there- this is so interesting to see❤

[islandbruddahnokaoi]

Edited out where she finds her roots as shippers on the may flower

[Watersart___]

I wish I could get you to help unfold a family dilemma for me. I can’t be the only one. My great grandparents lived on Indian territory. They were given to the Natives as slaves, giving up rights to American citizenship, under the guise that they would become Choctaw citizens. They promised us that, yet they did not comply, meaning they had no country or no people. My great granddad was on the Daws roles. I’ll keep digging as far as I can, but your help would be golden.

[SirBlackReeds]

No one finds it suspicious that this clip omits the part where she finds out that her ancestors were slaveowners?

[GratitudeGriot]

the energy, habits, and traits passed between generations are truly fascinating!!❤🖤💚

[michaelp]

You forgot the part where she’s also descended from white Pilgrims

[franjohnson]

Beautiful that Miss Davis family had fight and determination from the beginning 👏 Bravo 👏